John Nicholas Cassavetes (December 9, 1929 – February 3, 1989), an American actor, screenwriter and filmmaker. He appeared in many Hollywood films and is also considered by most to be the Godfather of Independent Film. His films are noted for their use of improvisation and a realistic cinéma vérité style. From 1970 to 1984, a string of independent film classics was born: Husbands, Minnie and Moskowitz, A Woman Under the Influence, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, Opening Night, Gloria, and Love Streams.